New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-21
" P. SHINN on THE INTERSTATE Law

DrrFICrITIEs THAT THE COMMISSION WILL HAvl
TO MEET-THE RAILROADS ARE SINCERE.
W. z. shnn, of Boston, vice-president and genera
manager Of the New-York and Ney-England Railroad
was In New-York yesterday His attention has oeen
drawn 20 recent kilograms from Washington in Admins
tratjon papers in which the difficulties in seeur
ing proper Commissioners under the interstate
Commerce law were said TO be the insuihcen
salary attached to the position, the great Jaoo
that will required OF the Commissioners, and the op
position they will encounter IN their WORK iioui he'af
roads. Mr. shnn said:
There is no doubt that two OF these points are vel
taken The Commission will necessarily be made upo
lawyers and railroad men. The Commission must ~
either men who versed in law and capable OF eonstr
ing II, or men who have practical knowE
edge and experience in the railroad business
The salary is only $500. There Is no law
yer who would be competent for Commissioner
ship who cannot earn from $4,000 to $4,000 by the
practice of law Such a railroad u needed tof
the Commissions work can command from SI2"v~
500 900 Tor his and have only single raoad
line to manage senator Cullom over yearago
and 10 the President after the bill was sent 10 hun pont
ing out 10 him this serious difficulty in its proper enforce
ment as law The amont OF labor that Will be requlreo
OF the commissioners will be enormous. The papers u2s
will be filed the LIST day Of April for their examination
will beso numerous ana important that ave years WORK
by the i've members vii scarcely DC suiheieh' OK
anime them all properly ,., .n.,,,.
How about the factions opposition OF INC rulrodus"
the law :" was asked. .,.,.
T have within month attended two meetings IN New
York OF the Trunk Line General Committee. whch "eIo
more numcrousy attended than any meetings since tus
committee was organized There have also IN tnat tne
been TWO meetings OF the New-England Railroad manS
gers the attendance which Thoroughly represent
alive and full The general disposition at these mtet
ings has been exactly contrary to me satehen. iJ h
Washington have not found n single rarOa man WIZ
has expressed himself In any other way than 'oraoy
TO complete aud exact obedience 10 the law The expes
sion ha, MOI been merely OF obedience To the letel
while disoheyng the spirit but OF living up 10 Tue spurs
as well and OF carrying its provisions into prccal opera
ton within State boundaries There are dlnetehces ..
opinion among railroad as TO interpretations OF hs
law as 10 s possible effects the country anu o'he
similar points but these have all been sunk IN the com
mon effort it's proper enforcement Inc isir
roads are entitled the credit OF having taken tos
stand and should not be misiepreseW..
as they have bee There is nowhere any des,t osc
eyade the law TO cripple the commission IN us ehlo
ment prevent its full test in practical operalionso
10 do ANYTHING that would in any way violate either"
letter spirit - :, ,,., - .r,,s /,
Will it not make a great change in business aiiasi
"Undoubtedly IL will make many important chanEss
expect there will be some astonlsnmeht aion5
men Who were clamOring most loudly Tor the ptSsaSe
the law when they lind their freight bills Increased %
fen TO twenty per cent This will not come from an ir
crease of rates. but from cutting of OF rebates ana ur""
backs"